Get online – how long does it take to build a website?

Starting a new business is exciting, but getting it online? That’s a whole different kettle of fish. Whether you’re carving out a space in the world wide web to peddle your pottery, cooking up a meals-on-wheels marketplace, or showcasing your artistic talents, we’re here to help you build a thriving online community.

The basics of getting online

How do you build a website? How long will it take? You don’t want to feel like you’re waiting for a bus that never comes. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. 

The time it takes depends on various factors, like the number of pages needed, the amount of content, whether you choose to hire a developer or opt for a DIY website builder, and if you need a static or dynamic website. But once it’s done, the rewards can be chef’s kiss.

The timeline – how long will it take?

Creating a simple, one-page site with a DIY builder might take a day or two, while a complex site created by a developer might take up to half a year. On average though, it should take a couple of months to go from the design and writing process to final testing.

To DIY or outsource?

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when getting your business online is choosing whether to hire a developer or use website building software yourself. 

Hiring a developer to do it for you will obviously save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you aren’t too clued up on your HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript coding languages. Bear in mind that the website building process can take longer with a developer, since you’ll need to allow extra time for communication and approvals.

Your other option is using website builder software to create your website. This can take a few days or weeks for smaller and less complicated sites, but you’ll have to devote your own time to this project. These days, many website builders, including our Website Builder, are super easy to use no matter your skill level, with built-in templates, free stock photos, and customisation tools. But if you need bespoke features or functionality, this is where hiring a professional can pay off.

To help you decide what approach to take, consider the following...

...Hiring a developer

The pros:

• No need to learn to code.
• Your developer will create your website for you – giving you time to focus on other areas of your business.
• An experienced developer will be able to completely customise to fit your exact vision.
• You’ll be able to offer feedback throughout the process and review your website at the end.

Vs the cons:

• Hiring a developer is much more expensive – this could cost thousands of pounds (depending on their level of experience).
• This process can take much longer.
• You need to learn to communicate effectively to ensure the developer understands your vision and requirements.

...Using a website builder

The pros:

• Using a DIY website builder is much cheaper – many are only a few pounds per month, and you can also take advantage of free or low-cost trials.
• You can build a simple website in one or two weeks or a more complex website in a month or two.
• You retain full control over all of your data and designs – no need to share them with freelancers or web development agencies.

Vs the cons:

• You’ll need to devote your own time to creating the website.
• You won’t be able to take advantage of as many customisation options, as you’ll be relying on templates rather than coding the site yourself.
• You’ll also need to handle ongoing website maintenance.

How long does it take to build a website using a website builder?

Now you know the differences between hiring a developer and doing it yourself, let’s take a closer look at the timelines involved with these two approaches.

Overall, building a website with a website builder will take a matter of weeks. The exact timing will, of course, depend on your individual website, but the following timeline should be accurate for an average-sized website:

Initial planning (1-3 weeks)

Come up with a clear concept and purpose for your planned website. For example, will you create an ecommerce website, a blog, a business website or an online portfolio? Then think about content, functionality, design, demographics and the specifics.

Choosing the right builder (1 week)

Features to look out for include pre-built templates, instant setup wizards, free stock images, free domains, optimisation tools and integration with hundreds of apps… all of which are conveniently accessible with our Website Builder! At this stage, you should also sort out your Web Hosting and Domain Registration.

Content creation (2-6 weeks)

Content doesn’t just include your website’s blog. Website content refers to written commercial copy, calls-to-action, images, videos and even branded elements like your logo. Preparing these elements in advance will give you a head start when it comes to designing the layout of your site and putting everything together.

Layout design (1-3 weeks)

Use a website builder to customise and ‘drag and drop’ elements to see how they look, then easily reorganise. Pre-made website templates are also a fantastic tool for those who are new to website development, as they give you something to work from rather than having to start from scratch, which can be intimidating. Also consider whether you want to go for a static website or a dynamic design, as the latter could greatly lengthen project timelines.

Customisation and finalisation (2-4 weeks)

Focus on details like your images, colour grading, buttons, menus, navigation tools and scroll effects to make sure that every element of your website is accounted for. Also make sure your branding and tone of voice is consistent and distinct.

Testing phase (1-2 weeks)

Don’t hit the ‘Publish’ button yet! It can be hard to spot your own mistakes, so we'd recommend sharing your domain name with colleagues, friends and family so they can review it for you. It’s also a good idea to create a review checklist – look out for typos, grammar mistakes, frustrating UX design, slow page speed, or inconsistent branding.

How long does it take to build a website with a developer?

As we mentioned earlier, building your website with the help of a developer can be a time-consuming process. However, since you aren’t involved with the actual website building phase, you can save a lot of effort for other areas of your business.

But what do you actually need to do if you choose to hire a developer, and how long will everything take? Here’s a rough timeline of how your website development process will go.

Create a brief (1-2 weeks)

Before reaching out to any developer, you’ll need a detailed brief to give them. Put together a concept that includes specific goals, functionality, layout design, time frame and any other important details. You can also use this to find a developer that fits the bill.

Hire a website developer (1-4 weeks)

Approach web development agencies, research freelance developers on platforms like Fiverr, or even ask for recommendations from people you know in your industry. Always read reviews and research their qualifications and experience, and take the time to interview candidates before hiring. 

Discuss needs and goals (1-3 weeks)

Once you’ve found the right person for the job, you can start discussing your project in more depth. This is when you need to set out the full brief, including your goals, expectations, deliverables, timelines and deadlines. The more detail your developer has, the better the content they’ll be able to create.

Mockup design and review (1-3 weeks)

Now that you’ve done your part, your website developer will start to take control of the project. However, before they can start actually constructing your website, they’ll need to create web page mockups (or wireframes) for you to approve. At this stage, it’s vital that you provide full and honest feedback. It’s much easier for the developer to change things at this stage because the actual development hasn’t yet begun. 

Website development (1-2 months)

This is the most time-consuming part of the process. Even though the developer will be taking control at this point, you should be communicating frequently, reviewing updates and providing ongoing feedback. 

Website review and testing (1-3 weeks)

This review process is the same whether you use a developer or website builder, so remember to ask for feedback from others and focus on every detail of your site, such as the content, user experience, branding and page speed. And the better your communication throughout the whole process, the fewer revisions you’ll probably need to make.

Welcome to the world wide web!

Whether you choose to outsource or keep website creation in-house, the work doesn’t stop there. Website management is an ongoing process – calling for continuous maintenance, reviews, SEO optimisation, regular blog content and… you get the idea.

Take control of your online journey today

Get online quickly with our Website Builder or Ecommerce Website Builder, and take advantage of features such as pre-built templates, free stock photos and free domains. 

Plus, stay ahead of the digital curve with management features like our Online Marketing Suite and Cyber Protect. Get in touch with our friendly support team at any time for more advice on building your own website.